Positions
- Instructor
-
School of Health Professions
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine
Houston, TX, US
- Curriculum Developer and Author
-
Center for Educational Outreach
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine
- Educator Trainer
-
Center for Educational Outreach
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine
Addresses
- John P. McGovern Campus (Office)
-
2450 Holcombe Blvd., Ste. O138
Houston, TX, 77021
United States
Education
- MST from Rice University
- Houston, Texas
- Space Physics/Astronomy
- BA from University of Houston
- Houston, Texas
- Spanish
Honors & Awards
- Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: Texas State Finalist
- The White House Office of Science and Technology
- Science Education Leadership Fellow
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine
- PolarTREC Teacher/Mentor
- National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs, and the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States
- NEW Horizons Educator Fellow (Mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- MESSENGER Educator Fellow (Mission to Mercury)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Teacher at Sea Alumnus
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Professional Statement
Reflecting on my career’s journey, I can say with conviction that I am a product of my experiences. Throughout my teaching career I have focused on challenging and inspiring students to enrich their lives through life-long learning. The process of science took center stage in my academic environment, moving learners from their comfort zone to risk-taking. My own teacher/researcher experiences have given me first-hand knowledge and enriched my classrooms with authentic science experiences that empowered my students’ learning.
On-going international partnerships with marine scientists through NSF’s PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating), ANACONDAS (Amazon Influence on the Atlantic: Carbon Export from Nitrogen Fixation by Diatom Symbioses), and SMORE (Students Monitoring Ocean Response to Eutrophication) projects, as well as participation in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea research program, have enabled me to conduct hands-on research in both Polar regions and in the Atlantic Ocean. My work with the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program further enhanced my knowledge of regional and national oceanic research, and the importance of marine stewardship in protecting the fragile ecosystems of the global oceans. Past project collaborations with Baylor, Rice University, and NASA have also provided unique opportunities for me to engage in real-time science.
As a result, my classroom environment was always filled with project-based STEM learning that transcended the classroom. Moreover, my students’ work earned them published papers at international science meetings and venues. The benefits of my research experiences have resulted in improved student interest in STEM careers and increased science content knowledge for teachers and students; research scientist appreciation for and understanding of best practices in teaching science; and expanded personal content knowledge that I could not have learned in a traditional manner.
In 2018, I joined Baylor as an instructor in the School for Health Professions and the Center for Educational Outreach, where my responsibilities include planning and conducting large-scale teacher professional development programs, mentoring K–12 students in after-school STEM clubs and designing national standards-based curriculum materials for use in classrooms. My goal is to continue to advocate for teacher and scientist collaborations to energize both in their respective fields, and to engage more students and teachers in STEM learning experiences and activities.
On-going international partnerships with marine scientists through NSF’s PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating), ANACONDAS (Amazon Influence on the Atlantic: Carbon Export from Nitrogen Fixation by Diatom Symbioses), and SMORE (Students Monitoring Ocean Response to Eutrophication) projects, as well as participation in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea research program, have enabled me to conduct hands-on research in both Polar regions and in the Atlantic Ocean. My work with the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program further enhanced my knowledge of regional and national oceanic research, and the importance of marine stewardship in protecting the fragile ecosystems of the global oceans. Past project collaborations with Baylor, Rice University, and NASA have also provided unique opportunities for me to engage in real-time science.
As a result, my classroom environment was always filled with project-based STEM learning that transcended the classroom. Moreover, my students’ work earned them published papers at international science meetings and venues. The benefits of my research experiences have resulted in improved student interest in STEM careers and increased science content knowledge for teachers and students; research scientist appreciation for and understanding of best practices in teaching science; and expanded personal content knowledge that I could not have learned in a traditional manner.
In 2018, I joined Baylor as an instructor in the School for Health Professions and the Center for Educational Outreach, where my responsibilities include planning and conducting large-scale teacher professional development programs, mentoring K–12 students in after-school STEM clubs and designing national standards-based curriculum materials for use in classrooms. My goal is to continue to advocate for teacher and scientist collaborations to energize both in their respective fields, and to engage more students and teachers in STEM learning experiences and activities.
Selected Publications
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Garay L, Wotkyns AM, Lowry KE, Warburton J, Alderkamp A-C, and Yager PL.. " " Elem. Sci Anth. 2014 Nov 14;
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Yager PL, Sherrell RM, Stammerjohn SE, Alderkamp A-C, Schofield O, Abrahamsen EP, Arrigo KR, Bertilsson S, Garay D, et al. " " Oceanography. 2012 Oct 2; 25 (3) : 40-53.
Memberships
- FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
- Senior Mentor, East Region Texas; and Lead Coach, LAB RATS Robotics and Engineering
Skills
- Earth/Space Science Education
- Integrated Science, Engineering and Robotics
- STEM Teaching and Learning
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